Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^If you want to make snarky comment about my perception of the needs of my "snowflakes," who you've never met, I might argue that your GE kid is fine with a mediocre teacher who wants AAP but never makes the cut. I have never understood, why GE parents feel entitled to insult, put down and name call AAP ES students (who are aged 8-12, FFS, not adults), while AAP parents have to walk on eggshells to make sure they never suggest that GE kids just aren't that exceptional.

Not the PP to whom you're responding, but you've got to be kidding. You see it all the time on these boards - AAP parents insisting their kids are "exceptional" and that said kids "need" special teachers, special centers, and special "peers". They argue that GE kids don't need the option to switch schools, as their kids have, because, well, they're just not as exceptional! What could they possibly need that they don't get at the base school, they ask? Meanwhile, it's perfectly fine with these parents to fully acknowledge their kids are getting a "superior" education than the GE kids - and that's just fine with them, because their kid is in AAP. If the shoe were on the other foot, however, and their snowflakes were getting the short end of the stick, you can bet we'd never hear the end of it.

So, quite honestly, I don't see anyone "walking on eggshells" to avoid offending GE kids or parents.

First, my arguing that my child should have access to a special program is my own perception of what my child needs. It in no way insults or puts down your kid. Honestly, I'm not in a position to say what is best for your kid or kids. AAP parents are advocating for what they believe their child needs. I do not see them belittling GE kids. But parents of GE kids on this board seem to have no problem with taking a swing at ES AAP students (not just parents or the AAP process, but the ES aged kids)-- with all of the your kids is not as bright as you think and special snowflake in a snow globe crap. Given the age of the kids we're talking about, insulting the children and calling them names crosses a line in my book.

Second, yes, I get that You think it's unfair that some AAP kids have school choice and your DC does not (base school Center kids have no choice). But I have never seen a GE parent articulate how school choice for GE would work. Do you want a better magnet system? Charters? For you child to be able to choose between the 2 schools closest to your house? Everyone has a right to got to immersion (not lottery)? If Centers are here to stay and AAP kids will keep havIng school choice, what choice do you want from FCPS to make it seem fair for your kid?

I think that if FCPS is going to continue allowing AAP kids to choose between LLIV at their base school and a center program (which are the same things, regardless of how some parents claim they're not), then yes, Gen Ed kids should be allowed to at least choose between the two schools closest to their homes, for whatever reason they or their parents deem necessary. There are often reasons why a school switch is a good idea - social problems, the need for a fresh start with a new peer group, etc. In other words, if AAP kids are given the choice of the same program, but at different schools, then Gen Ed kids should be given the same type of choice. And I don't see how this affects AAP kids in any way - giving all kids the same opportunities and choices. Just as you claim one school may be a better fit for your child, the same could be said about my child - for a variety of different reasons.
I
As for "name-calling," I don't see using the term snowflake as a slam on the kids - it refers to how their parents perceive them more than anything. Parents who insist on special treatment for their kids who don't require it are treating them like fragile snowflakes and unfortunately, this kind of overbearing parental personality type is fair game for criticism.

There are ways to move to a different ES if a child is having issues at his/her base school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

There are ways to move to a different ES if a child is having issues at his/her base school.

How?

Medical, emotional, or social adjustment —The student demonstrates exceptional hardship for reasons of medical, emotional, or social adjustment. Independent, detailed documentation substantiating the circumstances (e.g., from physicians, psychologists, social workers, or counselors) is required and must be attached to the student transfer application.

Anonymous wrote:I think that if FCPS is going to continue allowing AAP kids to choose between LLIV at their base school and a center program (which are the same things, regardless of how some parents claim they're not)

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^If you want to make snarky comment about my perception of the needs of my "snowflakes," who you've never met, I might argue that your GE kid is fine with a mediocre teacher who wants AAP but never makes the cut. I have never understood, why GE parents feel entitled to insult, put down and name call AAP ES students (who are aged 8-12, FFS, not adults), while AAP parents have to walk on eggshells to make sure they never suggest that GE kids just aren't that exceptional.

Not the PP to whom you're responding, but you've got to be kidding. You see it all the time on these boards - AAP parents insisting their kids are "exceptional" and that said kids "need" special teachers, special centers, and special "peers". They argue that GE kids don't need the option to switch schools, as their kids have, because, well, they're just not as exceptional! What could they possibly need that they don't get at the base school, they ask? Meanwhile, it's perfectly fine with these parents to fully acknowledge their kids are getting a "superior" education than the GE kids - and that's just fine with them, because their kid is in AAP. If the shoe were on the other foot, however, and their snowflakes were getting the short end of the stick, you can bet we'd never hear the end of it.

So, quite honestly, I don't see anyone "walking on eggshells" to avoid offending GE kids or parents.

First, my arguing that my child should have access to a special program is my own perception of what my child needs. It in no way insults or puts down your kid. Honestly, I'm not in a position to say what is best for your kid or kids. AAP parents are advocating for what they believe their child needs. I do not see them belittling GE kids. But parents of GE kids on this board seem to have no problem with taking a swing at ES AAP students (not just parents or the AAP process, but the ES aged kids)-- with all of the your kids is not as bright as you think and special snowflake in a snow globe crap. Given the age of the kids we're talking about, insulting the children and calling them names crosses a line in my book.

Second, yes, I get that You think it's unfair that some AAP kids have school choice and your DC does not (base school Center kids have no choice). But I have never seen a GE parent articulate how school choice for GE would work. Do you want a better magnet system? Charters? For you child to be able to choose between the 2 schools closest to your house? Everyone has a right to got to immersion (not lottery)? If Centers are here to stay and AAP kids will keep havIng school choice, what choice do you want from FCPS to make it seem fair for your kid?

I think that if FCPS is going to continue allowing AAP kids to choose between LLIV at their base school and a center program (which are the same things, regardless of how some parents claim they're not), then yes, Gen Ed kids should be allowed to at least choose between the two schools closest to their homes, for whatever reason they or their parents deem necessary. There are often reasons why a school switch is a good idea - social problems, the need for a fresh start with a new peer group, etc. In other words, if AAP kids are given the choice of the same program, but at different schools, then Gen Ed kids should be given the same type of choice. And I don't see how this affects AAP kids in any way - giving all kids the same opportunities and choices. Just as you claim one school may be a better fit for your child, the same could be said about my child - for a variety of different reasons.

As for "name-calling," I don't see using the term snowflake as a slam on the kids - it refers to how their parents perceive them more than anything. Parents who insist on special treatment for their kids who don't require it are treating them like fragile snowflakes and unfortunately, this kind of overbearing parental personality type is fair game for criticism.

There are ways to move to a different ES if a child is having issues at his/her base school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As for center teachers if centers are eliminated, they could then be plugged into the base schools for LLIV. No additional training needed.

Correct.

In addition, there are MANY AAP/gifted education-endorsed teachers who do not teach AAP, so the "pool" of qualified teachers is adequate. For example, at my school, we had approximately half a dozen AAP/GT-endorsed teachers before we even had AAP in our school.

+1. Some AAP parents make it sound like training teachers to educate their snowflakes is more rigorous than a NASA training program. It really is not that big a deal.

But, this isn't the same. We have a great base school and absolutely love it. However, most of the teachers are not adequately trained to recognize and appropriately teach highly gifted kids, particularly those that aren't high achievers in a traditional classroom. In 1st grade, the teacher told us our DC couldn't handle the work. This teacher is AAP certified. When we pushed back and said we think DC won't do the work, not that DC can't do the work, she argued with us. Meanwhile, the NNAT score came back perfect. Even then the teacher didn't know how to give her the level of work our DC needed to keep interested and perform. Our DC basically was allowed to read all day.

The center school has AAP teachers that all have master's degrees in spec ed. They have been amazing with our DC and DC has more peers and friends that have similar academic interests. If they move the whole program back to the base schools, it would be difficult on kids like my DC.

Now, some kids who are gifted/highly gifted are also high achievers and they function well in a traditional school. Our other DC is gifted (IQ not as high as sibling, but still well in the gifted range) and the base school works well DC. This DC is not in 3rd grade yet, but with the scores we've seen and the teacher's feedback I have no doubt DC will qualify for AAP. We have discussed keeping this DC at the base school because DC performs well and is happy there.

I'm in the camp that I feel most kids can handle a version of AAP, but there are still a few AAP kids that are in the spec needs category that would highly benefit from teachers and peers that are more appropriate for them.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^If you want to make snarky comment about my perception of the needs of my "snowflakes," who you've never met, I might argue that your GE kid is fine with a mediocre teacher who wants AAP but never makes the cut. I have never understood, why GE parents feel entitled to insult, put down and name call AAP ES students (who are aged 8-12, FFS, not adults), while AAP parents have to walk on eggshells to make sure they never suggest that GE kids just aren't that exceptional.

Not the PP to whom you're responding, but you've got to be kidding. You see it all the time on these boards - AAP parents insisting their kids are "exceptional" and that said kids "need" special teachers, special centers, and special "peers". They argue that GE kids don't need the option to switch schools, as their kids have, because, well, they're just not as exceptional! What could they possibly need that they don't get at the base school, they ask? Meanwhile, it's perfectly fine with these parents to fully acknowledge their kids are getting a "superior" education than the GE kids - and that's just fine with them, because their kid is in AAP. If the shoe were on the other foot, however, and their snowflakes were getting the short end of the stick, you can bet we'd never hear the end of it.

So, quite honestly, I don't see anyone "walking on eggshells" to avoid offending GE kids or parents.

First, my arguing that my child should have access to a special program is my own perception of what my child needs. It in no way insults or puts down your kid. Honestly, I'm not in a position to say what is best for your kid or kids. AAP parents are advocating for what they believe their child needs. I do not see them belittling GE kids. But parents of GE kids on this board seem to have no problem with taking a swing at ES AAP students (not just parents or the AAP process, but the ES aged kids)-- with all of the your kids is not as bright as you think and special snowflake in a snow globe crap. Given the age of the kids we're talking about, insulting the children and calling them names crosses a line in my book.

Second, yes, I get that You think it's unfair that some AAP kids have school choice and your DC does not (base school Center kids have no choice). But I have never seen a GE parent articulate how school choice for GE would work. Do you want a better magnet system? Charters? For you child to be able to choose between the 2 schools closest to your house? Everyone has a right to got to immersion (not lottery)? If Centers are here to stay and AAP kids will keep havIng school choice, what choice do you want from FCPS to make it seem fair for your kid?

I think that if FCPS is going to continue allowing AAP kids to choose between LLIV at their base school and a center program (which are the same things, regardless of how some parents claim they're not), then yes, Gen Ed kids should be allowed to at least choose between the two schools closest to their homes, for whatever reason they or their parents deem necessary. There are often reasons why a school switch is a good idea - social problems, the need for a fresh start with a new peer group, etc. In other words, if AAP kids are given the choice of the same program, but at different schools, then Gen Ed kids should be given the same type of choice. And I don't see how this affects AAP kids in any way - giving all kids the same opportunities and choices. Just as you claim one school may be a better fit for your child, the same could be said about my child - for a variety of different reasons.

As for "name-calling," I don't see using the term snowflake as a slam on the kids - it refers to how their parents perceive them more than anything. Parents who insist on special treatment for their kids who don't require it are treating them like fragile snowflakes and unfortunately, this kind of overbearing parental personality type is fair game for criticism.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^If you want to make snarky comment about my perception of the needs of my "snowflakes," who you've never met, I might argue that your GE kid is fine with a mediocre teacher who wants AAP but never makes the cut. I have never understood, why GE parents feel entitled to insult, put down and name call AAP ES students (who are aged 8-12, FFS, not adults), while AAP parents have to walk on eggshells to make sure they never suggest that GE kids just aren't that exceptional.

Not the PP to whom you're responding, but you've got to be kidding. You see it all the time on these boards - AAP parents insisting their kids are "exceptional" and that said kids "need" special teachers, special centers, and special "peers". They argue that GE kids don't need the option to switch schools, as their kids have, because, well, they're just not as exceptional! What could they possibly need that they don't get at the base school, they ask? Meanwhile, it's perfectly fine with these parents to fully acknowledge their kids are getting a "superior" education than the GE kids - and that's just fine with them, because their kid is in AAP. If the shoe were on the other foot, however, and their snowflakes were getting the short end of the stick, you can bet we'd never hear the end of it.

So, quite honestly, I don't see anyone "walking on eggshells" to avoid offending GE kids or parents.

First, my arguing that my child should have access to a special program is my own perception of what my child needs. It in no way insults or puts down your kid. Honestly, I'm not in a position to say what is best for your kid or kids. AAP parents are advocating for what they believe their child needs. I do not see them belittling GE kids. But parents of GE kids on this board seem to have no problem with taking a swing at ES AAP students (not just parents or the AAP process, but the ES aged kids)-- with all of the your kids is not as bright as you think and special snowflake in a snow globe crap. Given the age of the kids we're talking about, insulting the children and calling them names crosses a line in my book.

Second, yes, I get that You think it's unfair that some AAP kids have school choice and your DC does not (base school Center kids have no choice). But I have never seen a GE parent articulate how school choice for GE would work. Do you want a better magnet system? Charters? For you child to be able to choose between the 2 schools closest to your house? Everyone has a right to got to immersion (not lottery)? If Centers are here to stay and AAP kids will keep havIng school choice, what choice do you want from FCPS to make it seem fair for your kid?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^If you want to make snarky comment about my perception of the needs of my "snowflakes," who you've never met, I might argue that your GE kid is fine with a mediocre teacher who wants AAP but never makes the cut. I have never understood, why GE parents feel entitled to insult, put down and name call AAP ES students (who are aged 8-12, FFS, not adults), while AAP parents have to walk on eggshells to make sure they never suggest that GE kids just aren't that exceptional.

Not the PP to whom you're responding, but you've got to be kidding. You see it all the time on these boards - AAP parents insisting their kids are "exceptional" and that said kids "need" special teachers, special centers, and special "peers". They argue that GE kids don't need the option to switch schools, as their kids have, because, well, they're just not as exceptional! What could they possibly need that they don't get at the base school, they ask? Meanwhile, it's perfectly fine with these parents to fully acknowledge their kids are getting a "superior" education than the GE kids - and that's just fine with them, because their kid is in AAP. If the shoe were on the other foot, however, and their snowflakes were getting the short end of the stick, you can bet we'd never hear the end of it.

So, quite honestly, I don't see anyone "walking on eggshells" to avoid offending GE kids or parents.

First, my arguing that my child should have access to a special program is my own perception of what my child needs. It in no way insults or puts down your kid. Honestly, I'm not in a position to say what is best for your kid or kids. AAP parents are advocating for what they believe their child needs. I do not see them belittling GE kids. But parents of GE kids on this board seem to have no problem with taking a swing at ES AAP students (not just parents or the AAP process, but the ES aged kids)-- with all of the your kids is not as bright as you think and special snowflake in a snow globe crap. Given the age of the kids we're talking about, insulting the children and calling them names crosses a line in my book.

Second, yes, I get that You think it's unfair that some AAP kids have school choice and your DC does not (base school Center kids have no choice). But I have never seen a GE parent articulate how school choice for GE would work. Do you want a better magnet system? Charters? For you child to be able to choose between the 2 schools closest to your house? Everyone has a right to got to immersion (not lottery)? If Centers are here to stay and AAP kids will keep havIng school choice, what choice do you want from FCPS to make it seem fair for your kid?

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:^^If you want to make snarky comment about my perception of the needs of my "snowflakes," who you've never met, I might argue that your GE kid is fine with a mediocre teacher who wants AAP but never makes the cut. I have never understood, why GE parents feel entitled to insult, put down and name call AAP ES students (who are aged 8-12, FFS, not adults), while AAP parents have to walk on eggshells to make sure they never suggest that GE kids just aren't that exceptional.

Not the PP to whom you're responding, but you've got to be kidding. You see it all the time on these boards - AAP parents insisting their kids are "exceptional" and that said kids "need" special teachers, special centers, and special "peers". They argue that GE kids don't need the option to switch schools, as their kids have, because, well, they're just not as exceptional! What could they possibly need that they don't get at the base school, they ask? Meanwhile, it's perfectly fine with these parents to fully acknowledge their kids are getting a "superior" education than the GE kids - and that's just fine with them, because their kid is in AAP. If the shoe were on the other foot, however, and their snowflakes were getting the short end of the stick, you can bet we'd never hear the end of it.

So, quite honestly, I don't see anyone "walking on eggshells" to avoid offending GE kids or parents.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As for center teachers if centers are eliminated, they could then be plugged into the base schools for LLIV. No additional training needed.

Correct.

In addition, there are MANY AAP/gifted education-endorsed teachers who do not teach AAP, so the "pool" of qualified teachers is adequate. For example, at my school, we had approximately half a dozen AAP/GT-endorsed teachers before we even had AAP in our school.

This is not the norm. I wonder why they got that certification -- I suspect they may be waiting for an opportunity to jump over to an AAP classroom when there is an opening.

Anonymous wrote:^^If you want to make snarky comment about my perception of the needs of my "snowflakes," who you've never met, I might argue that your GE kid is fine with a mediocre teacher who wants AAP but never makes the cut. I have never understood, why GE parents feel entitled to insult, put down and name call AAP ES students (who are aged 8-12, FFS, not adults), while AAP parents have to walk on eggshells to make sure they never suggest that GE kids just aren't that exceptional.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As for center teachers if centers are eliminated, they could then be plugged into the base schools for LLIV. No additional training needed.

Correct.

In addition, there are MANY AAP/gifted education-endorsed teachers who do not teach AAP, so the "pool" of qualified teachers is adequate. For example, at my school, we had approximately half a dozen AAP/GT-endorsed teachers before we even had AAP in our school.

+1. Some AAP parents make it sound like training teachers to educate their snowflakes is more rigorous than a NASA training program. It really is not that big a deal.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As for center teachers if centers are eliminated, they could then be plugged into the base schools for LLIV. No additional training needed.

Correct.

In addition, there are MANY AAP/gifted education-endorsed teachers who do not teach AAP, so the "pool" of qualified teachers is adequate. For example, at my school, we had approximately half a dozen AAP/GT-endorsed teachers before we even had AAP in our school.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
As for center teachers if centers are eliminated, they could then be plugged into the base schools for LLIV. No additional training needed.

Correct.

In addition, there are MANY AAP/gifted education-endorsed teachers who do not teach AAP, so the "pool" of qualified teachers is adequate. For example, at my school, we had approximately half a dozen AAP/GT-endorsed teachers before we even had AAP in our school.